Menopause and cystitis
Bladder problems are one of the most common problems of menopause. These conditions can be embarrassing. For many women bladder problems mean they have to urinate frequently. And for many women they will not make it to the bathroom. Having urinary problems can cause larger scale problems such as bladder infections or kidney problems. Urinary problems have been known to be the cause of urinary tract infections, which can lead to other problems like yeast infections.
Bladder and urinary problems are quite common during menopause. As the vaginal walls thin during the normal course of menopause, so too do the tissues of the urethra and bladder with are right next to the vagina. If there is inflammation or injury to the tissue during this time the tissues become more susceptible to serious infections such as cystitis.
Cystitis is not uncommon during menopause with more than 5 percent of women reporting cystitis. It is not difficult to know if you are likely to have cystitis. Frequent trips to the toilet may be an indication of the early stages of the condition. Also, if you feel like you need to urinate but don’t actually need to you may also be in the early stages. These early signs lead to painful urination, which in turn leads to a furthering of the condition. If cystitis is detected early, more serious problems can be avoided. It is important at the early signs to seek medical help or to use simple natural remedies.
As soon as you notice the early signs you can do a number of things to prevent cystitis from developing further. Firstly, one of the easiest things to do is to drink as much unsweetened cranberry juice as you can hold. Cranberry juice will help to regulate the pH of your urine and this will stop the bacteria. Increase the vitamin C content in your diet to strengthen your immune system. An excellent supplement to provide immune system support is Mannatech products Ambrotose and Advanced Ambrotose. These products contain the eight essential glyconutrients. This product is designed to support cellular communication, maintain general well-being and help restore good health. Scientists have learned that glycoproteins (a combination of protein chains and glyconutrient chains) - found on the surface of all cells - play a key role in all cellular communication. Glyconutrients such as Ambrotose support the body’s overall immune function.
You can also try adding a cup of vinegar to your bathwater once a day to help change the pH levels of your vagina, which can keep the infection from taking hold.
There are also a number of simple measures you can take to prevent conditions like cystitis. One of the easiest is to wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet. This action prevents the spread of bacteria to the delicate vaginal area. Another measure is to squeeze out any last drops of urine after you have finished urinating. Also after sexual intercourse, empty your bladder immediately, even if you don’t feel like you need to. This helps to clean the area of bacteria.
Regularly eating yoghurt can be beneficial especially soy yoghurt. The bacteria in yoghurt can help to keep you healthy. If you are still getting your periods avoid using tampons as often as you can, as they serve as an incubator for bacteria.
Avoid the use of regular soaps as they can wash away the good bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance on your skin. Avoid anything that will change the environment of the vagina eg spermicides, commercial douches etc. And lastly wear loose cotton or other natural fibre underwear.